"So, in keeping with the Tribeca Prep school tradition, tomorrow I want everyone to bring in their favorite childhood toy and share it with the class." Mr. Laritiate said.

Alex Russo groaned. "Mr. Laritiate, you can't be serious!"

"Why, I'm as serious as a six-gun shootout at a rodeo!" came the reply, along with some imaginary gunfire from the principal's fingers.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Whatever that means."

"It means... Miss Russo, that you will bring in your favorite childhood toy as instructed or you will face severe consequences!" Mr. Laritiate said.

Alex scoffed. "What kind of consequences? Are we going to be forced to watch a Sesame Street marathon?"

The class erupted in laughter.

"You know... that's not a bad idea." Mr. Laritiate mused. "You could use a brush up on your basic education."

"Oooohhhh." Came the class's response.

When the bell rang, the kids scrambled out of their seats.

"Don't forget... toys tomorrow!" Mr. Laritate yelled over the commotion. "And I expect you here on time with a full report!"

"This will be so much fun!" Harper squealed as they left the classroom.

"What's so fun about it?" Alex asked. "It's just another one of his stupid assignments."

"Reliving our childhood!" Harper said. "Seems like a dream come true!"

"More like a nightmare." Alex said.

"Alex, don't you ever want to have any fun?" Harper asked.

"Trust me, anything involving school does not qualify as fun." Alex said. "I can't believe you've fallen for Mr. Laritiate's brainwashing."

"But I'd love to go back to my childhood. I had some of the best times as a kid." Harper said.

Alex looked her friend up and down, shuddering at Harper's latest fashion statement. "Harper... what are you wearing?"

"Oh, do you like it?" Harper grinned. "It's my latest creation; the endangered species ensemble!"

"I'm sorry, but that outfit should be extinct!" Alex said, laughing at her sarcastic comment.

"What's wrong with it?" Harper asked. "See? I'm wearing a Save the Tigers t-shirt, a panda bear skirt, koala socks and a sea otter print jacket."

"And you're asking what's wrong with it? Harper, none of that matches!" Alex said.

"Well of course not, silly!" Harper laughed as she reached into her enormous purse. "That's why I have this!"

"A plush giant spotted owl attached to a headband. Wow! That really pulls the whole outfit together." Alex said, doubting that Harper caught the sarcasm in her voice.

"Miss Russo!" Mr. Laritate called from the doorway.

A groan escaped from Harper and Alex as they slowly turned around.

"I expect to see you here bright and early tomorrow morning, toy in hand and ready to report. You too, Miss Finkle!"

"I can't wait!" Harper said, grinning brightly.

Mr. Laritate smiled. "Now that's what I like to hear. A student excited about learning."

"I wasn't talking about that." Harper said. "I meant that now I'll have an excuse to play with all of my old toys."

Mr. Laritate sighed. "Why didn't I listen to my father and become a baker?"

Alex's eyes went straight to Mr. Laritate's stomach. "Well, you certainly have the figure for it."

Harper's eyes widened in horror. "What are you doing, Alex? Trying to get us kicked out of school?"

Alex smiled thoughtfully. "You know... that's not a bad idea."

"Nice try Russo. But if you need extra incentive, think about this... It's worth 40% of your grade."
"40%? But you didn't say that to anyone else. You said it was just an assignment!" Alex protested.

"Well, that was before you decided to comment on my choice of careers." Mr. Laritate said.

"See, I told you to keep your mouth shut!" Harper said.

Alex turned to her friend. "You never said that."

"Well, I was going to." Harper said with a shrug.

"I can't wait to get home and start looking through my toys!" Harper said. "It's going to be so much fun!"

"Yeah you mentioned that earlier. Fun, Harper? Are you kidding me? Doing one of Mr. Laritate's assignments is about as fun as listening to Justin attempt to play the guitar. I'd rather listen to a cat screeching!

"Hey! I love cats! They're endangered you know!" Harper said.

Alex rolled her eyes. "Whatever."

"Alex, how can you say that? A world without cats would be-."

"A much more pleasant place." Alex said, ignoring her best friend's disgusted look.